I am wondering if there are any "secrets" to keeping the bottom fabric of the "sandwich" to stay flat when I am quilting?

ronee

If you have already created the quilt sandwich, try spray starching the backing several times (let dry in-between). Don't iron. Starch stabilizes fabric so it is less likely to stretch and pucker.

I heavily starch my backing fabric before creating the quilt sandwich (1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water). Once the quilt sandwich is made, though, spray starch should help.

Thank you so much. I can see that I have yet a lot to learn.

Also, and please don't be offended if you are NOT that much of a newbie, but it was years before I knew what the *&^(*&%^ walking foot was for. It could have saved me so much aggravation if someone has told me!

So, if you are using your home machine, and not FMQing- are you using your walking foot? Makes all the difference.

(And again, if this is too basic, please forgive me.)

We all learn from each other, no dumb ??? thanks

I just finished a small project and it was suggested that I use basting spray. I had never used it. First you spray the batting and smooth on the quilt top. Then spray the back of the batting and smooth on the bottom layer. I did not like the stickiness of the batting so I trimmed off the excess, but I must admit, my fabric stayed so flat and smooth for fmq. It was a breeze.

basting spray and starch your backing fabric :thumbup:

I pull my backing fabric really taut and tape it to the table before laying down the batting - smoothing it out, and then patting down the top. I pin no less than hand-width apart and do fairly well (no puckers) when I do Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting. Now I can't say anything about freemotion. NO GOOD AT IT yet.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have never used my walking foot. Will start tomorrow.

What kind of machine are you using? Domestic sewing machine? Midarm? Longarm?

This is also what I do and it helps me a lot.
I have never had a walking foot to use on my sandwiches.
Just a lot of determination!:lol:
My new machine came with a walking foot. I tested it on a small sandwich and it was soooooo nice. !!!!!!
Good luck.
Regards, Dorothy

Nothing beats a walking foot. You can get everything right in the "sandwich" , pin like crazy , have built the perfect "sandwich" and the machine can still "feed" the different layers through a regular foot at differnent rates causing the pleats, puckers and disappointment.
If you have not invested in a walking foot ... maybe its time ! It was a life changing gismo!

I love basting spray. It keeps everything in place as I quilt. I do still baste around the edges though. If anything slips it will be there.

I am wondering if anyone has a walking foot for a Pfaff Holly 1200 quilter you would like to sell?

My friend got one for her mom for Christmas. I think it was about $100. I bet you can buy it from the same dealer who sold you your Hobby Quilter.

also look on eBay. I don't know anything about Pfaff, but someone here might know- alot of machines use generic feet just fine. I would post in the classified section that you are looking for one...

I thougth Pfaff machines had a built in "differential feed" so a walking foot would not be neccessary. Do check if you model has this feature. Check owners manual. If it does then we need to talk about other solutions to your problem.

My Pfaff Quiltstyle has the buil in integrated dual feed walking foot. The Pfaff Hobby Quilter has a separate walking foot that is an optional accessory.

great info